RT’s propaganda is far less influential than Westerners fear

RT’s propaganda is far less influential than Westerners fear

PRODUCERS at RT, the Kremlin-financed media weapon formerly known as “Russia Today”, must have been glowing. More than half of the report on Russian electoral interference which America’s intelligence agencies released on January 6th was devoted to warning of the network’s growing influence. The report noted the “rapid expansion” of RT’s operations and budget—now $300m a year—and cited impressive audience numbers listed on the RT website. The channel, whose professed mission is to present the Russian point of view to foreign audiences, claims to reach 550m people worldwide, with America and Britain as its most successful markets. Conclusion: RT is part of a “Kremlin-directed campaign to undermine faith in the US Government”.